The workshop will focus on training participants in identifying and combating domestic sex trafficking and is open to members of the law enforcement community, healthcare professionals, social workers, clergy and interested members of the community. Contact hours for continuing education for professionals are available.

Registration for the event is required prior to the workshop. Contact the WSU Conference Office at 316-978-6493 to check availability. The cost is $25 per person or $35 with contact hours. All cancellations must be in writing.

In her workshops, Countryman-Roswurm offers education about the forms of human trafficking, those involved, risk and resiliency factors, prevention, and direct services through the process of assessment, intervention and community integration.

Countryman-Roswurm earned her master of social work and doctor of psychology degrees from Wichita State, and has more than 12 years of experience helping homeless, runaway and throwaway youth as a therapist, advocate, researcher and professor.

This is human trafficking, and the gut reaction to it is something most people have in common. It is a repulsive but distant reality, and the abhorrence it evokes cuts across race, politics and culture.

Unfortunately, while human trafficking is a glaring evil, it is the result of many lesser evils that are not so popular to talk about. Ignorance of the causes of human trafficking has allowed it to flourish into a $32 billion a year industry worldwide.

"Human trafficking is the result of society not dealing with other issues," said Karen Countryman-Roswurm, executive director for the Center for Combating Human Trafficking (CCHT) and assistant professor in the School of Social Work at Wichita State University.

Local expertise

With a unique combination of personal, professional and academic expertise, Countryman-Roswurm is a valuable resource for the university and the community. She is a world-renowned expert and a forerunner in the anti-human trafficking movement, and it was her passion that led to the creation of the CCHT at Wichita State earlier this year.

The goal of the center is to fight human trafficking and the domestic problems that it grows from. The CCHT helps communities combat human trafficking by providing education, training, research, policy development, technical assistance and consultation.

Issues

Human trafficking is sexual or labor exploitation and subjugation involving young children and adults, men and women alike. It is a situation in which victims are under someone else's power; where perpetrators prey on the weak. It is far more widespread and pervasive than people realize, even here in the United States.

Even here in Kansas.

Some of the root causes that lead up to human trafficking include domestic violence, poverty, disintegrating family structures, sexism, racism and lack of education.

These are issues that Countryman-Roswurm talks about passionately, even though their political nature can make those conversations uncomfortable.

Although Countryman-Roswurm is still young, she has earned the right to do the talking: She has lived through her own set of nightmares and, since her emancipation from the state at the age of 16, she has served high-risk, marginalized populations that are most likely to become victims.

"So many people are quick to point a finger at the victims," Countryman-Roswurm said. "The most important thing to realize is that they are victims and survivors — not criminals. They are not in this situation by choice.

"What most people don't realize is that every single one of us is just one step away from a different reality, one choice away from a radically different life, for good or for bad."

The key that made a difference for Countryman-Roswurm was education.

"I love this community and I love this university," she said. "Places like the Wichita Children's Home and WSU make up my home. I am excited about the center because its mission is in complete harmony with (WSU President John Bardo's) mission of bridging the gap between the university and the community. The center bridges the gap between direct practice in the community, research and policy. Furthermore, WSU offers education to high-risk populations, survivors, multidisciplinary students and professionals that can serve as the key to a new life."

Difficult conversations

Countryman-Roswurm's objective is to undermine and prevent human trafficking by having difficult conversations, and for that WSU is fertile ground. The ironic thing is, for a state with a strong abolitionist history, modern-day slavery thrives in Kansas, and the problem, she says, is a systemic one.

"People will talk about putting an end to human trafficking, but no one wants to talk about domestic violence; about inequality; about what we're doing wrong that allows human trafficking to occur. Those are the conversations that need to happen."

In recognition of the upcoming National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the CCHT is hosting a week of human trafficking awareness events during the last week of January at the CAC Theater and the Ulrich Museum.

The kick-off event will take place Monday, Jan. 27, in partnership with the museum and the exhibit of "Ross' Juveniles in Justice," and will feature a discussion with Countryman-Roswurm, Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and District Court Judge Timothy Henderson on how the new legislation has changed the face of juveniles in justice.

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Women's studies to pay tribute to Kansas womenTue, 26 Feb 2008 10:18:48 CSThttp://www.wichita.edu/thisis/wsunews/news/?nid=117
For the second year, Wichita State University's Center for Women's Studies has planned a special tribute, "Honoring Our Heroines," during National Women's History Month in March.

The tribute honors Kansas women who have been pioneers in their fields and whose accomplishments are recognized in the Plaza of Heroines, a memorial to women on the WSU campus.

The 2008 Plaza of Heroine biographies will air during March on KPTS TV Channel 8 and KMUW FM89.

Each honoree has a presenter who reads her biography for the video and radio biographies.

This year's honorees are:

Judy Bell (presenter Casey Bell) — Wichita's Judy Bell was a two-time member of the U.S. Curtis Cup Golf Team, the first female rules official at the Masters and the first woman president of the U.S. Golf Association. Her life has been dedicated to making a "gentlemen's game" an activity that everyone can play and enjoy.

Elizabeth McLean (presenter Julianne McLean) — Elizabeth McLean was born in a Canadian log cabin, studied art in New York and lived her life as one of Wichita's leading women. She developed Benjamin Hills, donated the land for McLean Elementary and convinced the state to move a highway.

Velma Wallace (presenter Shirley Beggs) — Velma Wallace has walked with captains of industry, dined with astronauts and met two presidents. But to Wichitans, Velma herself is a celebrity. For decades she has worked with numerous philanthropic and charitable organizations to make this a better community. Among her many accomplishments was the realization of Exploration Place.

Nahima Salamy Farha (presenter Brenda Farha) — Nahima Salamy Farha was a gentle matriarch, a graceful peacemaker and a woman who gained respect by giving respect. As a young widow in Lebanon, she and her eight children fled the horrors of World War I. After a long and dangerous journey, they joined her husband's family in Wichita and made this community home.

Deltha Q. Colvin

Deltha Q. Colvin (presenter Rhonda Hicks) — Deltha Q. Colvin is the assistant vice president for student affairs at Wichita State University, a Sedgwick County Community Housing Services board member and a lifetime member of the NAACP. As one of 16 children, she was inspired to achieve by her mother, Arzellion. Now, Delta works to help others succeed through equal educational opportunities.

Ivonne Kamen Goldstein (presenter Bonnie Bing) — Ivonne Goldstein has, for 35 years, directed, volunteered for, advised and supported pretty much every charitable organization in Wichita, including the Salvation Army, Music Theatre of Wichita, Planned Parenthood, Habitat for Humanity, Inter-Faith Ministries and Temple Emanu-el. Any place that serves humanity has been well served by Ivonne. In 2004, at the age of 72, she earned a degree in women's studies from WSU.